Additional Student Service information is available in the Student Handbook.
Athletics and Recreation (610-796-8276)
Alvernia University views athletics as an integral component of the overall educational mission. Alvernia is a member of the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC), the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC), and the National Collegiate Athletic Conference (NCAA), Division III. The university has adopted the Division III philosophy statement as its own and follows the guidelines of Division III. The Alvernia University Department of Athletics and Recreation is part of the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Program, which focuses on five key areas: academics, athletics, community service, career development, and personal development.
The Department of Athletics and Recreation Policy Handbook outlines the philosophy of athletics at Alvernia and the responsibility of the Athletic Director, coaches, staff, and student-athletes. Information in the handbook includes, but is not limited to the following: academic eligibility and responsibilities, social responsibilities, community service, class absence,
insurance, varsity status, awards, role of athletics in the total college mission, student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC), and the NCAA summary regulations and certification information.
Alvernia University sponsors intercollegiate teams for men in cross-country, lacrosse, tennis, soccer, basketball, track and field, baseball, and golf. Women’s teams include cross-country, lacrosse, volleyball, field hockey, basketball, tennis, track and field, soccer, and softball. The coed cheer team, dance team, and the ice hockey team are club sports run under the Department of Athletics and Recreation.
The Department of Athletics and Recreation also offers a variety of recreation and wellness opportunities throughout the year. Recreational activities are organized by the Intramural Athletic Board (IAB) — a student-run organization.
All intramural and wellness opportunities are available to Alvernia students, faculty and staff.
The Commons on main campus is equipped with a cardio center and a strength training room, available to all Alvernia students, faculty and staff. These areas include a dance/yoga room, treadmills, elliptical machines, steppers, bicycles, and strength training equipment. Graduate and Adult Education students are encouraged to take advantage of the services provided by the Commons.
Bookstore (610-796-8250)
The bookstore is located on the first floor of the Student Center. Textbooks, supplies, software, clothing, and gifts can be purchased online. Texts may be picked up in the bookstore or shipped directly to your home or place of business.
In addition, Alvernia University novelties, greeting cards, snacks, drinks, postage stamps, phone cards, pre-pay phones, electronics, and general health and beauty items are available in the store.
Students may use cash, checks, money orders, credit cards or financial aid (when applicable) for in-store purchases. Orders placed on the Internet may be paid with a credit card or financial aid (when applicable).
Campus Shuttle (610-796-8350)
Alvernia provides a campus shuttle between the Ken-Grill parking lot, Upland Center, Bernardine Hall, and the Angelica parking lot. The shuttle schedule is available by calling Public Safety at 610-796-8350. In the evening upon request, Alvernia can also provide transportation to the BARTA Route 10 bus stop at the corner of Brookline Plaza and Lancaster Avenue. A specific BARTA bus schedule can be found at www.bartabus.com. Student wishing to utilize evening transportation to this bus stop should call Public Safety (610-796-8350) to make arrangements.
Dining Services (610-796-8222)
Alvernia’s food/dining service is provided by Aladdin Food Management Service, Inc. All resident students are required to participate in the meal plan provided by the university; commuter students, visitors and other members of the Alvernia community may use the dining facilities on an “all you can eat”
basis for a set cash price. Students on a meal plan must present their ID/meal card to the cashier at each meal.
There are three dining locales on campus: The Main Dining Hall (Student Center), Kestrel Café (Bernardine Hall), and Courtside Café (PEC). Please see the Student Handbook for additional information.
Identification Cards (610-796-8350)
Every student must possess a valid Alvernia photo identification card (ID). This card should be carried at all times and is not transferable. Students must present their ID to utilize dining and library services, to gain admission to the
cardio/weight room, and for admission to sporting and social activities on campus. IDs are also needed to gain entrance to residence halls and to access other campus buildings after hours. Debit accounts for the Bookstore and Dining Services are also available with a student ID. ID photos are taken throughout the year at the Public Safety Office.
International Student Programs
Current Alvernia students interested in studying abroad should contact the Study Abroad Coordinator at 610-790-1982.
Alvernia officially accepts and hosts individuals from various countries throughout the world. Some come to campus as one-year exchange students while others enroll in traditional four-year degree programs. All international students follow Alvernia’s standard admission policies and practices. In addition, standardized test scores of English proficiency may also be required.
For more detailed information on applying to Alvernia as an international student, please call the International Admissions Counselor at 610-568-1420.
International students at the Reading campus who have questions related to their acclimation to the United States should contact the office of the Vice President for University Life, 610-796-8211; International students enrolled at our Philadelphia campus should contact 215-635-4734. Those students enrolled in the ESL non-collegiate credit program, should contact the ESL program director at 215-635-0704.
Alvernia fully complies with all Federal mandates concerning international students. The Registrar’s Office is responsible for the required record keeping as defined by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and the Department of Homeland
Security. Prospective international students can obtain further information about how Alvernia reports information to federal agencies by contacting the Office of the Registrar.
Parking (610-796-8350)
All motor vehicles parked on campus, and in auxiliary parking lots, must display a current Alvernia parking permit. Parking permits may be obtained from the Public Safety Department, located in the Student Center, second floor. For additional information on parking policies see the Undergraduate Student Handbook.
Safety and Security
Office of Public Safety (610-796-8350)
Alvernia strives to maintain a clean, safe, healthy environment for its students, faculty and staff to enjoy. While no institution can guarantee the safety of all members, Alvernia has taken steps to promote a safe
environment conducive to the campus community’s successful academic and co-curricular pursuits. The Public Safety Office is staffed 24-hours-a-day, each day of the year, and conducts both vehicular and foot patrols. All officers carry cell phones and two-way radios while on patrol and are CPR AED and First Aid certified.
The Public Safety Office is a clearinghouse for lost and found items, reported activities, and emergencies occurring on campus. All reported incidents are thoroughly investigated, including those related to alcohol and other drugs. The Alvernia community is alerted to safety concerns through written and verbal communications including bulletin boards, flyers, meetings, the Alvernia newspaper and an electronic alert system. If a murder, forcible rape, or other serious crime is alleged to have occurred on the campus, the President or his designee shall notify the campus
community so as to protect the alleged victim’s right to privacy while alerting the community to potential danger. Members of the Alvernia community who witness or may be victimized by a criminal offense should contact the Public Safety Office immediately.
Alvernia, in being true to its mission and its responsibility to its students and employees, is dedicated to doing what is necessary both to maintain the dignity of students and employees and to teach them to accept their roles as responsible men and women in society. Alvernia, therefore, not only distributes this section of this publication as required by law, but also sponsors crime prevention talks presented by local policing authorities or the Criminal Justice Club. Discussions of safety procedures and practices are included in new student and employee orientation programs. For campus residents, more frequent reminders are provided.
Students may contact local police at any time a crime is witnessed or suspected, but Public Safety should also be notified so a Safety Officer can escort police to the appropriate place on campus. Investigations are conducted through the process of sharing information.
Campus Call Boxes
Alvernia University has installed emergency call boxes on campus. Call boxes may be utilized in an emergency; pressing the red button immediately sends a distress signal to the Reading Police Department and also notifies Alvernia Public Safety.
E2Campus
In an effort to ensure the safety and security of the Alvernia community, the university has adopted e2Campus. E2Campus is a campus-wide, text-messaging, email and voicemail system that will enable Alvernia University officials to communicate with registered students, faculty, staff, and parents in the event of a catastrophic emergency. Registration is free and can be accessed by clicking on the “logins” link, located on the homepage of the university website.
Escort Service (610-796-8350)
Alvernia Public Safety offers free escort service for students and staff who feel uncomfortable traveling on campus. Students and staff should call x8350 to arrange for this service.
Parking Lot Cameras
Video cameras are strategically placed in campus parking lots to aid in hindering vandalism to vehicles. Note: Alvernia University assumes NO LIABILITY for theft or damages to vehicles parked on premises.